Entitlement to Reimbursement of Relocation Expenses

An advance decision was requested concerning the entitlement of a Federal employee to reimbursement for relocation expenses for a house-hunting trip performed by his wife incident to a permanent change of station to Alaska. Reimbursement for travel and transportation expenses to seek a new permanent residence at a new official station is authorized only when both the old and new stations are located within the continental United States. There is no lawful authority for reimbursement of the cost of a house-hunting trip between Missouri and Alaska. The agency stressed that the house-hunting trip had led to ultimate savings in the transfer expenses since the employee decided not to sell his residence at his old duty station. Erroneous advice concerning the authorization of the travel by the agency did not in itself create a right to reimbursement. Since the Government cannot be bound by the mistakes of its agents, no lawful authority existed which would otherwise permit payment of the house-hunting expenses claimed by the employee.